$1B Milestone: Aave Leads Move Into Tokenized Assets

Aave tops $1B in RWAs as DeFi TVL drops 25% to $95B and tokenized assets rise 8.68% to $25B, led by treasuries and commodities.

Aave has surpassed $1 billion in tokenized real-world asset deposits, marking a new phase for the lending protocol.

The development comes as capital shifts from traditional DeFi platforms toward blockchain-based tokenized assets.

Aave Surpasses $1B in Tokenized Real-World Assets

Aave confirmed that cumulative real-world asset deposits on its platform have crossed $1 billion.

The growth was driven by its RWA-focused market, Aave Horizon. The protocol had reached $600 million in tokenized deposits by January 2026.

Within weeks, deposits expanded rapidly, and active on-chain RWA totaled about $527 million.

The increase reflects rising use of tokenized financial products on public blockchains. The protocol recorded steady inflows during a period of broader DeFi contraction.

Aave operates as a decentralized lending platform that allows users to supply and borrow digital assets.

The addition of tokenized treasuries and other assets expanded its product range. This shift aligns with growing institutional interest in blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

Capital Rotates as DeFi TVL Declines

Data from DeFiLlama shows that total value locked in DeFi fell 25% over the past month.

TVL dropped to about $95 billion during that period. Several major protocols, including Aave and Binance Staked ETH, recorded double-digit declines.

At the same time, tokenized asset markets expanded. According to RWA.xyz, distributed tokenized asset value increased 8.68% to $25 billion.

This growth contrasts with the contraction in DeFi liquidity. Tokenized U.S. Treasury products reached $10.7 billion in distributed value.

Commodities accounted for $6.9 billion, while private credit totaled $2.9 billion. These sectors posted monthly gains of 10%, 20%, and 15%, respectively.

Related Reading: Aave Labs Shuts Down Avara Brand and Refocuses on Core Lending Protocol

Institutional Focus on Tokenization Expands

Traditional financial institutions are also advancing tokenization initiatives. Lynn Martin, President of the New York Stock Exchange, addressed the topic recently.

She said the exchange felt a “responsibility” to engage in tokenization efforts.

The NYSE is developing a blockchain-based platform for tokenized stocks and ETFs.

The proposed system would allow 24/7 trading, pending regulatory approval. This would differ from the current weekday trading schedule.

Martin stated that the exchange is working with regulators to integrate tokenization within existing frameworks. Other firms are also increasing activity in this sector.

Securitize noted rising capital flows into tokenized products, signaling broader market participation.

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